Georgia's Color Wheel Studio Cultivates Creativity, Empathy, Empowerment

Decatur, Georgia's Color Wheel Studio is a true 21st Century success story. Founded in 2002 by former High Museum Folk Art and Photography curator Cathy Spencer, its mission was a very forward-thinking one: to focus on how high-quality art education can be a crucial pillar of childhood development, while also building confidence and fostering empathy.

Located just six miles outside downtown Atlanta, it was taken over in February 2022 by professional illustrator Marlis Cornett, who enthusiastically embraced Spencer's "philosophy" around what she had referred to as "Core Values": Empowerment, Engagement, Safe Space, Empathy, Responsibility and Integrity. Engagement, of course, is especially urgent at a time when digital devices are monopolizing children's attention to worrying effect; and surely few things could be considered as important as instilling young people with a very real sense of empowerment, as they seek to find their own authentic voices amidst all the clatter of social media - with its adverse effects on self-esteem having already been well-documented.

The studio boasts imaginative, enlightening programming all year round. But arguably the culmination of it all is the annual Student Exhibition, which gathers works from throughout the year from all creative disciplines and age ranges, once again reminding us just how vital kid creativity is, and why it should be correspondingly elevated and honored as such.

"Color Wheel has added color to our lives in so many ways!", exclaims proud parent Greg Di Gesu, whose daughter Lucia's work was featured in this summer's exhibit (see below image, third from left). "It's a rainbow of learning and sharing in painting, ceramics, textiles, and many other forms of expression. Lucia feels at home at Color Wheel, where she has been creating and growing, and where we have all been cultivating friendships for years."

As yet another school year approaches, we checked in with Marlis for a chat to learn more about what makes Color Wheel Studio such a uniquely special place for art education.

When you took over Color Wheel from its founder, what was your mission statement at the time?

Our first goal was just to reopen the studio, as it had been closed since the pandemic. Our mission remained the same: to cultivate a space for art instruction by creating safe, high-quality classes aimed at nurturing the whole child. We added an emphasis on including the community as a whole, and began offering more opportunities for families to create together - our Art Café, Art a la Carte - and for adults and teens to have opportunities in our studio classes as well.

What initially surprised you most about children's artmaking?

Children - especially young children - have the ability to work without inhibition. They are constantly surprising us with their unique interpretations and creativity. Even when given specific parameters, the results are always inspired!

Can you point to certain projects or programs that have been most successful in really drawing creativity out of kids? And how/why?

Our most successful projects have the right combination of creativity and interest level. We have a lot of success when kids are allowed to create their own tiny world for a character; they may be asked to create a small 3D woodland creature and its habitat, then give it a name or backstory or "user manual" - almost like creating a toy with instructions. [It's about] finding the joy in creating.

How much do you think about the confidence building and self-esteem aspects of working with your students?

It is a large part of what we do and why we do it. Our 'Core Values' have "empowerment" as a key concept, we discuss it as a group constantly; and we host a monthly Core Values Championship, where teachers award students who have gone above and beyond in each category. Our Core Values include: Empowerment, Engagement, Safe Space, Empathy, Responsibility and Integrity. When all of these values are applied, we are on the right path to creating a harmonious and successful studio experience for our students as well as ourselves.

Are there moments when you suddenly realize that you have had a profound effect on the kids?

Yes, sometimes it comes from the parents relaying moments of conversations they have at home, or why their child wants to come to Color Wheel. Often it is just the fact that kids don’t want to go home at the end of the day - they want to keep creating or finishing a step in a project.

Can you see it in the enthusiasm for the annual exhibit?

We have a wonderful process at the end of the school year where we interview the kids for their artist bio that is part of our final exhibition. It is essentially an artist statement. When they recall small details from months ago or what teacher had an impact on their work, it reminds us what Color Wheel really means to them.

What have been some of the overall highlights for you?

Each season of the year brings a special program to our studio. In the fall we begin planning and creating our Empty Bowls Fundraiser, as well as our Fall Festival that our oldest group - our fifth graders - have the honor to plan and execute. It think our annual exhibition epitomizes the year and is a major highlight for students and staff. We keep all of the artwork until the end of the year, then several pieces from each artist are chosen and displayed in a gallery style exhibition. It is an opportunity for each student to see the full circle of their work as an artist.